So here we are, the list of the top 10 fastest production cars in the world, ranked by top speed. All the cars you would expect are on the list, ranked from fastest to slowest (though calling any of these cars slow is blasphemy.) We start the list with the king of fast. Keep in mind this list only includes production cars. I’ve had a lot of comments mentioning faster cars, which aren’t actually in production.

Last update to this list: December 8, 2010

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Top Speed: 268 mph

1200 Horsepower

Not to let SSC’s Ultimate Aero supercar keep Bugatti in second place for long, the French supercar company slapped bigger turbos and intercoolers on their previous world record holding Veyron to produce a seriously impressive 1200 horsepower. The Veyron SS still houses the same 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine, but now produces 200 more horsepower. To handle the extra speed and power involves, Bugatti also had to revise the chassis and suspension. Only 30 Veyron Super Sport models are expected to be produced. Interestingly, the 30 cars sold to the public will be electronically limited to “only” 258 mph.

SSC Ultimate Aero

Top Speed: 256 mph

1183 Horsepower

Boutique supercar maker Shelby Super Cars (SSC) unleashed the Ultimate Aero in 2007, destroying the more expensive Bugatti Veyron’s top speed record. The car in question was a 2007 model – since then, SSC has upgraded the Aero to include an all-new twin-turbo V8 engine (half the size of the Veyron,) producing 1287 hp, giving the car a theoretical top speed of 290 mph. Nope, that’s not a typo. It’s also theoretical. SSC says given a long enough road, they could get the car up to 270 mph. That would break the Veyron’s record again, but let’s see if they ever get around to it.

Koenigsegg CCXR

Top Speed: 250 mph

1018 Horsepower

Although the Koenigsegg CCR broke the top speed record in 2005 on a totally unfair circular track, the updated CCXR has a better engine, aerodynamics, and, well, pretty much everything else. I’d love to see the Swedish company get this out on the VW test track, which is the same track on which the Veyron was tested (and a straight line, not a circle.)

Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo

Top Speed: 248 mph

750 Horsepower

Saleen’s first car not based on an existing model, the S7 supercar grabbed a lot of attention when it was released in 2000. An updated Twin-Turbo model followed shortly afterward, providing 750 hp and a 248 mph top speed. Saleen offers a competition package increasing power to 1000 hp, which brings the top speed up to a rumored 260 mph. Interest has dropped for the S7, but if they can come back and claim a top speed close to Bugatti and SSC, we might see some more of Saleen’s supercar in the near future.

McLaren F1

Top Speed: 240.14

627 Horsepower

Can you believe this? The McLaren F1 was made in 1994, and it’s still one of the fastest cars in the world. This happens to be the first car on this list I would purchase if I had the cash. Produced from 1993 to 1998, the F1 still sells for well over $1 million each, and I have a feeling it will only appreciate over the years. This is a timeless car and will remain on the all-time greatest car list for decades to come. Even though it’s no longer the fastest production car in the world anymore, it’s still the fastest naturally-aspirated road car in the world, sporting a special 6.1-liter V12 capable of biting your head off.

Ferrari Enzo

Top Speed: 226 mph

651 Horsepower

Ferrari’s most recent mega-car seems to have people crashing it left and right, but the drivers always walk away fine (physically.) With only 400 Enzos ever made, the value of the car goes up with each wreck. Sporting a naturally-aspirated 6.0-liter V12, the Enzo is beginning to show its age, but remains one of the fastest cars in the world. Until Ferrari’s next mega-ultra-super-duper-car, of course.

Aston Martin One-77

Top Speed: 220 mph

750 Horsepower

The newest entry in our list, the Aston Martin One-77 is a very limited edition (only 77 made, who’d have thought?) supercar. Originally the top speed was estimated at a relatively paltry 200 mph but later tests confirmed a top speed of 220.007 mph. The 3,307 lb car can rocket from zero to sixty in 3.5 seconds thanks to its 750 horsepower, 7.3-liter V12 engine and six-speed automated manual gearbox.

Pagani Zonda F Clubsport

Top Speed: 215 mph

640 Horsepower

Powered by a 7.3-liter AMG-built V12, the 640 horsepower Pagani Zonda F Clubsport created ripples in the car community when it lapped the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife test track in only 7:24.7 seconds. A very impressive car – I’m actually confused as to why it’s not higher on the list, although Pagani claims that without the car’s aerodynamic equipment (added to increase cornering ability,) the Zonda F Clubsport would have a top speed of 220 mph.

Jaguar XJ220

Top Speed: 213 mph

549 Horsepower

Even older than the McLaren F1, the Jaguar XJ220 has been on this list since 1992. Sporting a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, the XJ220…wait…a 3.5-liter V6? 217 mph in 1992? That’s some seriously impressive engineering. Be sure to check out the Pininfarina version as well.

Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV

Top Speed: 213 mph

661 Horsepower

Another car I’m surprised isn’t higher on the list. The Murciélago LP 670-4 SV is not only the fastest Murcielago ever produced, but the fastest car Lamborghini has ever made, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in only 2.8 seconds and hitting that 213 mph top speed. This is the last Murcielago variant Lambo is making – there have been plenty of rumor of a successor.